Permanent Residence Application
Apply to become a permanent resident, which removes the need to renew your period of stay and lifts most activity restrictions.
Apply to become a permanent resident, which removes the need to renew your period of stay and lifts most activity restrictions.
Steps
- 1Check the latest permanent-residence guidelines and confirm you meet them.
- 2Prepare extensive documents on your income, tax, and pension / insurance payment history.
- 3Submit to the regional immigration bureau that covers you. Standard processing is 4-6 months and can run longer. If your period of stay expires during that time, file a separate extension application.
What to bring
- Passport and residence card
- Application for permanent residence
- Proof of income and tax payment (tax certificates, etc.)
- Pension and social-insurance payment records
- Documents about your guarantor
Official sources
Related guides
- Extension of Period of Stay
- Resident Tax
- National Pension Enrolment
- National Health Insurance Enrolment
Information, not advice
This guide is general information only — not legal, administrative, tax or other professional advice, and not a filing service. Rules and procedures can change; always confirm with the official window or website. For your specific situation, consult a licensed professional or contact the relevant government office directly.
This procedure can carry legal consequences. For your own case, consider consulting a licensed 行政書士 (administrative scrivener) or the Immigration Services Agency.
Related guides
Converting a Foreign Driver's License
Convert a valid foreign driver's license to a Japanese one at a prefectural license center, with part of the exam waived. You must have stayed 3+ months in the issuing country after getting the license.
Mobile Phone Contract
Sign up with a mobile carrier or low-cost SIM (MVNO). By law you must verify your identity, so bring your residence card; some carriers also need a Japanese payment method.
Marriage Registration
Register a marriage at city hall to make it legally valid in Japan. For an international marriage you'll also need documents proving you're free to marry.